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Detailed job description and main responsibilities

CLINICAL & PROFFESIONAL 

• To be professionally accountable, to recognise and address own limitations and practice in accordance with the NMC Code of Professional Conduct and the Scope of Professional Practice.

• To be a caring, clinically competent (develop clinical competence if newly qualified) registered children’s nurse (experienced registered nurse holding a Qualification in Speciality (QIS) on SCBU) who ensures patient safety and well-being is paramount at all times.

• To effectively manage (/ develop the leadership skills over time and as appropriate to effectively manage) the ward as a team leader on a shift basis in the absence of a sister or ward manager (holding a QIS on SCBU)

• To support and advise junior colleagues, students and unqualified staff and supervise the nursing care provided ensuring safe practice at all times.

• To be responsible for the assessment of patient care needs and the development, implementation and evaluation of programmes of care for all patients liaising with their families at all times.

• To be responsible for the assessment of care needs, the development, implementation and evaluation of interventions for young people with mental health issues.

• To plan, with the family, at the earliest possible opportunity, the discharge of their child liaising closely with all members of the primary health care team.

• To recognise the importance of the role of the play specialist and involve as necessary.

• To ensure the confidentiality of patient information at all times.

• To ensure that all unit philosophy, policies and procedures are adhered to at all times and that any amendments to policies are acted upon immediately.

• To communicate effectively with staff and patients to ensure that the highest possible standard of care is provided to children and their families, and that comprehensive information is documented.

• To ensure the privacy and dignity of patients is paramount and not compromised.

• To have appropriate skills and knowledge relating to the process of safeguarding children and child protection including:

• Demonstrate sound knowledge of the current safeguarding agenda, legislation and statutory guidance.

• Demonstrate an understanding of the safeguarding framework, including Early Help, Child in Need and Child Protection procedures.

• Have an awareness of the impact of parental factors on a child including mental health, domestic abuse and drug substance misuse.

• Have an awareness of the increased vulnerabilities of looked after children and the risk of further maltreatment.

• Have an awareness of normal child development and the factors which could indicate abuse or neglect.

• Be able to recognise possible signs of maltreatment or abuse.

• Be able to document safeguarding / child protection concerns, and maintain appropriate record keeping, differentiating between fact and opinion.

• Be able to share appropriate and relevant information between multi agency teams – in writing, via telephone and electronically. 

• Be able to identify where further support is needed, when to take action, and when to refer to managers, supervisors or other professionals including social services.

• Be able to contribute to multi agency safeguarding / child protection procedures including risk assessments.

• Be able to work with children and families where there are child protection concerns.

• Be able to ensure that children are listened to, and have the opportunity to contribute in decision making as appropriate for their age and development.

• Be able to challenge other professional when required and provide supporting evidence.

• Understand the purpose of and guidance in relation to conducting serious case reviews, serious incident reviews and management reviews and be able to demonstrate learning from such cases.

• To ensure the ward environment is clean, safe, welcoming, appropriate and child-friendly at all times.

ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES 

·         Ensure patient records are kept up to date and accurate and recording is done in line with Trust policies and procedures.

TEACHING & TRAINING RESPONSBILITIES 

• To attend mandatory training, including Paediatric / Neonatal Life Support and Child Protection/ Safeguarding training according to Trust and local policy.

• To participate in ward teaching programmes, e.g., informal bedside clinical teaching.

• To participate in family education programmes and health promotion opportunities.

• To demonstrate a commitment to personal continuing education.

LINE MANAGEMENT/SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• To act as preceptor /mentor to new members of staff, facilitating the achievement of their competencies throughout their preceptorship/orientation period in close collaboration with the ward manager and the nursing team.

• To act as mentor to pre-registration nurses and other students/visitors to the ward ensuring that support and instruction is provided as appropriate.

RESEARCH & AUDIT

• To participate in any research undertaken in the unit.

• To actively assist in the Department’s Audit Programme